With the Hydromet Department predicting high-intensity rainfall over the next three to four days, the government has deployed additional drainage pumps to flood-prone areas across the country.
This is according to Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha; he was at the time inspecting drainage pumps at Cowan Street, Kingston; Kitty Pump Station, and the one at Liliendaal on Thursday.
And with the capital city prone to flooding, the minister was happy to report that all of the pumps are operating at “peak capacity.”
“We are hoping that the weather will break by Sunday, according to the Hydromet Office but I am satisfied that the operators are working, on time and cooperating with us to ensure that we monitor the water levels across the country,” he stated.
So far, there are three engineers manning the city pumps with the relevant technical personnel on standby should mechanical issues occur, Minister Mustapha stated.
Things have been running smoothly thus far with the only hiccup occurring on Wednesday evening when the pump at Cowan Street stopped working because of backed-up garbage.
“I am asking residents to work with us, keep your surroundings clean because the garbage affects how the pumps function so we need to keep the place free of garbage, ensure the drains are cleaned,” the Agriculture Minister urged.
Added to that, the minister said that several pumps have been deployed to the East Coast of Demerara, to Region Six and Region Two as those areas are highly prone to flooding.
Thus far, no reports of severe flooding have been reported but the minister is urged residents to take the necessary precautions over the next few days.
According to the Guyana Civil Defence Commission (CDC), frequent showers are expected to continue over northern Guyana while Southern Guyana can expect moderate intermittent rainfall.
Regions One to Eight and Ten can expect at least three inches (80mm) of rain while no more than one inch (20mm) is expected elsewhere.
Residents are urged to take the necessary precautions and report impacts to local authorities or the National Emergency Monitoring System (NEMS) on 600-7500 or 226-1114 at any time.
